Counter



May 5, 1936.

H. L. SFAUNBURG COUNTER Filed April 9, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l NV NTOR May5, 1936. H. l.. sPAuNBuRG COUNTER Filed April 9, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTO ATTOR EY Patented May 5, 1936 PATENT ori-ICE COUNTER Harvey L.Spaunburg, Bristol, Conn., assignor to Voeder-Root Incorporated, acorporation of Connecticut Application April 9, 1931, Serial No. 528,819

21 Claims.

My invention relates to counters.

It has among its objects to provide an improved counter of the typeadapted to count a predetermined number of times and, upon resetting,again count up to that total. A further object of my invention is toprovide such an improved counter having improved adjustable predeter-Amining dial means whereby the counter may be set with facility to countany predetermined number of times, and further provided with improvedco-operating controlling and resetting mechanisms and improved means forfacilitating the setting operation. These. and other objects andadvantages of my improved construction will, however, hereinafter morefully appear.

In the accompanying vdrawings I have shown for purposes of illustrationone embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Figure 1 is a plan view of a counter constructed' in accordance with myimprovement and having its dials in starting position, the cover beingshown in dotted lines and the connections to the operating shafts beingbroken away to facilitate illustration;

Fig. 2 is, a view similar to Figure 1, but with the cover omitted andthe counter dials in the position which they would occupy upon thecompletion of the count required by Figure 1;

Fig.- 3 is a bottom plan view of the constructions shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig..5 is a transverse sectional view on line 5 5 of Fig. 2; I

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. '1 is a transverse sectional view on line 1-'-1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view on line l-B of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view on line 3--9 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a'separated vertical sectional view od' the component partsof one of the counter units; and

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the predetermining ring.'

In this illustrative construction I have shown a counter mounted in ausual casing I and adapted to be operated through an operating shaft 2by any suitable means, as, for example, a lever 3. Herein, themovementvof the shaft 2 causesa series of counting mechanisms, or dialunits, A,

' B, C and D, previously set in a relationship desig- (Cl. 23S-132)nating a predetermined number, to count the operations of the lever 3and shaft 2 until the predetermined number of operations has beenvcounted, and then permit the automatic operation of a controlling shaft5 which in a well known manner controls a signal or the operation of themachine. Herein, the several dial units are also reset by a resettingmember or wing nut 6 xed to and rotating with an axially disposedresetting shaft l, and the operation of setting is further facilitatedby the depression of a releasing member 8 operatively connected ashereinafter described.

Considering the arrangement and connections generally, it will be notedthat the shaft 1 extends axially through all the units, or countingmechanisms, A, B, C and D, and parallel to the shafts 2 and 5 previouslymentioned, with the shaft 2 in front of the dials and the shaft 5 belowthe latter. Moreover, it will be noted that oper ating connections areprovided between the shaft 2 and the unit A in such manner that thelatter is moved through successive fractions of coniplete revolutions-as the lever 3 is oscillated about the axis of the shaft 2, while therotation of the unit A is transmitted to the other units B, C and Dthrough usual transfer mechanism whereby the units to the left of unit Aare successively operated to carry in a well known manner.

Referring more in detail to the operative connections for actuating theunit A and the other units from the latter, it will be noted that theshaft 2 is journaled in suitable bearings 9 formed on the casing, andthat in addition to the lever 3 which is outside the casing, the shafthas well known ratchet type operative connections between the same andthe unit A. More particularly, it will be noted that these connectionsinclude a usual toothed disc I0 fixed to the shaft andv having a toothedsector II engaging with the teeth of a rotatable and reciprocable gearI2, which in turn is normally forced in one direction by a coiled springI3 and carried on a spacing sleeve I4. The gear I2 herein also has usualratchet teeth I5 of a well known construction fixed thereto and adaptedto co-operate with the usual side apertures in a ratchet wheel I6, whilethe latter, in turn,vcarries a toothed member I1 forming a clutch memberco-operating with a continuously toothed member or gear I8 forming apart of the dial unit A and normally rotatable with the rest thereof.Moreover, it will be noted that a pawl I9 is provided on the shaft 2 toengage with the edges of the teeth of the member I6 and that this pawlis connected with a coiled spring 2U which in turn has its opposite endconnected to the casing below the shaft 2. Here attention is alsodirected to the fact that a Second coiled spring 2| is provided at theopposite end of the shaft 2 and has one end connected to the top of theshaft while the other is extended around under the shaft and connectedto the front wall of the casing I near the top of the latter at a pointabove the shaft. With this mechanism it will be evident that uponreverse ovements of the member 3, the shaft 2 will be moved in suchmanner as to actuate the ratchet wheel I6 through members I0, I2 and I5,and thereby cause rotation of the um't A with the member I6 and relativeto the shaft 1. Further, it will be evident that through the provisionof usual transfer pinions 22 disposed between the units A and B, theunits B and C, and C and D, the several units will carry in a well knownmanner, the pinions herein beingmounted on a usual shaft 23 suitablyjournaled in the casing I below and at one side of the shaft 1.

Referring more particularly to my improved counter units, it will beunderstood that each of the same is of identical construction, and thataccordingly a description of one will suffice for all. In Figures 4 and'l to 11 inclusive it will be noted that unit A comprises in addition tothe gear I8 previously mentioned, a. bushing 25 on which the gear I8 isrotatable and which extends therefrom axially through the rest of theunit between the elements thereof and the shaft 1 on which the bushingis normally freely rotatable. Moreover, it will be noted that next thegear I6 is disposed the counting or number wheel 26 which in turn houseswithin the same the usual driving pawls 21 pivoted at 28 on the gear andconnected by a usual spring 23, and which wheel 26 however also forms apart of the predetermining mechanism, as hereinafter described. It willalso be observed that the bushing 25 is provided with a flange 30 nearits right hand end and that a usual peripherally notched ratchet wheel3|, co-operating with' the pawls and rotatable with the wheel 26, isprovided in the number wheel' 26 between this flange and the numberwheel. As shown, a collar 32 is also fixed on the sleeve against theopposite side of the number wheelAin such manner as to form a unitaryconstruction. Herein, it will also be noted that a co-operatingpredetermining number wheel 33'of slightly larger diameter than thewheel 26 is journaled for rotation on the left hand end of this collar32, while a conically coiled spring 34, herein having four coils, ishoused between the number wheels 33 and 26 and normally acts to forcethe number wheel 33 to the left. As shown herein a locking disc 35 isalso provided to the left of this number wheel 33 and the collar 32,which in turn is provided with a single peripheral aperture 36. Thislocking disc 35 herein carries within the same a pawl 31 seated at oneend in a suitable bearing 33 and having its opposite end acted upon by asuitable spring or clip 35 of U-shape and carried in a correspondingoppositely located bearing 40, in such manner that the pointed workingend of the paw] 31 is normally projected downward through a longitudinalslot 4I i1- the left hand end oi' the sleeve 25 and ready to engage withone wall of a longitudinal groove or keyway 42 provided in the shaft 1upon rotation of the latter in one direction and as hereinafterdescribed, to eiect resetting. Both the pawl and spring are readilyremovable from the side of the locking disc through a V- shaped sideaperture 43 therein connecting the bearing apertures 38 and 40 and theaxial bore for the shaft. Here it will also be noted that a two-tootheddriver or carrying member or gear y 44 is provided on the sleeve 25outside of and in registry with its co-operating locking disc 35 so thatboth will co-operate with the first transfer gear 22 in a well knownmanner. t will also be understood that the members 44, 35,' 32, 26 and3I are staked or otherwise suitably connected to the bushing 25 forrotation therewith. Here attention is also particularlydirected to thefact that the locking disc 35 herein has a laterally projecting pin 45near its periphery projecting laterally toward the predetermining numberwheel 33'and having an end or head receivable in any one of tencorresponding but elongated and radially disposed apertures 46 in thatmember 33 each 0pposite a number on the periphery of that member. Fromthe above, it will be evident that through the interconnection of thepin 45 with any aperture 46 and the action of the coiled spring 34, allof the elementsof each unit, beginning with the gear I8 and extendingthrough the carrying gear 44, will normally rotate as a umt, whilethrough the pawl and ratchet connection 21, 3l all parts of each unitare also rotatable relative to the gear I 8. It Will also be evidentthat it is possible to change the adjustment of the member 33 at will byiirst simply moving' the same t0 the right to disengage the aperture 46from the pin 45 and then rotating the member 33 bodily about the collar32 in such manner as to bring the desired number thereon into exposedposition at the top oi the unit. There, upon release of the member 33,the spring 34 will force the parts together, the pin 45 then enteringinto the selected aperture 46. It will also be evident that as themembers 33 on the several units are each independently adjustable in thesame manner, it is made possible for the predetermined number for whichthe mechanism is to be set to be varied at will.

Operatively associated with this mechanism is controlling mechanismoperative when the predetermined number has been reached. Moreparticularly, it will be noted that each of the predetermining wheels 33is provided with an opening or notch in its periphery herein indicatedat 5U, the notches 50 in each wheel being disposed in the same positionand between the numbers 5 and 6 on the periphery of the number wheel sothat all the notches will be in alignment when the several number wheels33 are in zero position, i. e. with the zeros on the several wheels 33in alignment. Co-operating with these notches 50 is a series of rolls 5Icarried on a swinging roll carrying member 52 which is, in turn, mountedon a supporting shaft 53 suitably journaled in the casing I parallel tothe controlling `shalt 5 and herein having a gear 54 meshing with asmaller gear 55 on the controlling shaft 5. As a result of thisconstruction, it will be evident that when the shaft 5 is provided withthe usual weight or spring connection, herein illustrated in the form ofa weight 56, the shaft 5 will normally be4 held against rotationthroughits gearing connection with the shaft 53, so long as the rollers rideover the unnotohed .portion of the number wheels 33. When, however, thenotches 50 therein come into alignment, the rollers 5I will dropinto-the aligned notches and the shaft 5 will be automatically operatedin a well known manner to operate a signal or shut down the machine,

as is usual in such devices.

operatively associated with the mechanism so far described, is theresetting mechanism. This, herein, is automatically operative uponrotation of the wing nut 6 to move both the predetermining number wheels33, 26 relative to the gears |8 in passing from the positions which theywill occupy at the completion ofthe predetermined count and shown inFigure 2, to the positions which they occupied when beginning the countand shown in Figure 1. More particularly, it will be noted that, as theshaft 1 is rotated by the wing nut 6, the various pawls 31 will dropinto the keyway 42 in the shaft as soon as a predetermined relation ispresent between the shaft and number wheels 26. Thus, for example, asshown in Figure 2, with the first left hand number wheel 26 at zero, itspawl 31 will herein engage the keyway 42, and immediately upon rotationof the wing nut 6 and shaft 1, the unit D will commence to rotate withit and continue alone until unit D cornes into alignment with any of theother units, whereupon that additional unit or units will begin torotate therewith, and the picking up or resetting operation will thuscontinue in a well known manner until all of the units are rotated intothe starting position shown in Figure l, which is the zero position ofthe number wheels 26. Further, it will be evident that, since thepredetermining wheels 33 are held by the pins 35 in definite angularrelation to the wheels 26, these wheels 33 will be rotated with thewheels 26, and accordingly be returned to their initial position shownin Fig. 1, wherein it will be noted that these wheels 33 again indicatethe predetermined number for which the mechanism is set.

operatively associated with the mechanism described is also improvedmeans.or facilitating setting of the number wheels 33. This mechanismherein includes the releasing member 8 which is conveniently located atthe front of the left hand end of the counter so as to be readilydepressible by one hand while the other is used to adjust the wheels 33.Herein, the member 3 is provided with a portion extending transverselyabove the shaft 1, with a portion 6l extending downwardly from theportion 60 in back of the shaft, and which is journaled at its lower fend on the shaft 23, and with aportion 62 extending forwardly from thelower end of the portion 6| beneath the shaft 1 and above the meinber52. Thus, upon depression of the member 8, its portion 62 will depressthe member 52 and the rollers 5i carried thereon. As a result of thisconstruction, it will be observed that the number wheels 33 are releasedby the disengagement of the rollers 5l in their notches 50 and areaccordingly freely movable from one position of adjustment to another.It will also be evident that while the interlocking of the rollers inthe notches in any of the members 33 is prevented so longas the member 8is depressed, the latter, upon release, will be automatically elevatedand release the member 52, all as a result of the automatic action ofthe weighted control shaft 5.

In the operation of my improved construction, assuming that it isdesired, for example, to -set the parts for 665 operations, the partsare adjusted to the positions shownin Figure 1. There it will be notedthat the usual number wheels 26 of all the units A, B, C and D are inzero position, while the predetermining number wheels of C, B and Arespectively expose the numerals 6, 6, 5 respectively, and the wheel 33'of unit D shows a zero. In this particular starting position it will benoted that the notches 50 of the members 33 of the units A, B and Coccupy the position shown, wherein they are not in alignment, althoughthey of course Would be in alignment if the predetermined number desiredwas 666. Upon continued operations of the lever 3. the unit A will beoperated in a well known manner and will in turn, through the firsttransfer pinion 22, have its revolutions carried to the unit B while therevolutions of the unit B will be carried to the unit C. As thiscontinues, the wheels 26 of the units A, B and C will add until theirtotal is 665, while the number wheels 33, though not subtractinguniformly at all stages, since the carrying mechanism for the wheels 2Swill not permit uniformoperation, will nevertheless all tend to subtractand will all indicate zero when the `predetermined number is shown bythe working wheels 26. When the wheels 33 all thus indicate zero, theirnotches 50 will then be aligned and the rollers 5I will then drop intothe same in such manner as to enable operation oi' the controlling shaft5 and the consequent operation of a signal or shutting down the machineas may be desired. When, however, the operator wishes to resumecounting, it is only necessary for him to turn the wing nut 6 in suchmanner as t0 rotate the shaft 1 and thereby pick up the several units insuch manner as toreset the mechanism to again count up to thepredetermined number 665, the several wheels being returned to theiroriginal position indicated in Figure l. If, on the other hand, theoperafor desires to change the predetermined number, this is readilyAaccomplished by simply pushing each desired.

number wheel 33 over to the right to effect disengagement from its pin45 and then rotating it and'releasing it in its new position desired,whereupon it is automatically re-connccted to operate with the rest ofthe dial units on which it is mounted, the adjustments of the members 33being facilitated, if desired, by the depression of the member 8.Obviously, when the lever 3 is again started, the mechanism will countup to the new predetermined number and operate a signal or shut down themachine when the new predetermined number is indicated on the dials 26,and the dials 33 are in zero position, all as previously' described.

As a result of my improved construction,` it will be noted that it ispossible to adjust the predetermining members 33 relative to thetransfer elements on each unit including the gears I8, when these gearsare in mesh with their transfer pinions, While the members 26 other thanthat on unit A, are similarly freely adjustable relative to the gears I3and move with the piedetermining members 33 relative to these gearsduring resetting and while the gears i8 remain in mesh with theirtransfer pinions all in such manner as to insure accuracy. Attention isalso directed to the facility with which the members 33 may be adjusted,and to the further fact that during setting the members 33 and 26 may bemoved together by rotating the members 33, the members 26 then turningtherewith until the latter members reach the desired positions, whilethe members 33 may thereafter be disengaged from the locking discs andmoved independently relative thereto and vto the gears Il.

and members 26 into the desired positions. It will also be noted thatthe movement of the members 33 longitudinally of .their units todisengage the same from their locking discs, and

the necessary registration of the apertures 43 and' pins 45, also tendsto minimize improper setting since the members 33 cannot be forced backby the spring from any non-registering position, and it is thus evidentfrom the face of the units that one or more of the members 33 is not inproper position. It will also be evident that while the adjustment ofthese members 33 and 25 is possible without depressing the member 8, thedepression of the latter will facilitate adjustment by throwing therollers out of engagement with the notches in the members 33. Moreover,the predetermining number Wheel is adjustable relative to the countingnumber Wheel and the parts of the carrying mechanism on the unit at anytime after the predetermined count has been reached, prior to theoperation of the resetting mechanism and while the same remains in theposition occupied at the completion of the predetermined count. Further,it will be noted that the member 8 can be depressed to release therollers from engagement with the predetermining members withoutdisconnecting the driving and driven gears of the several counter unitsfrom their transfer pinions, and without actuating the resettingmechanism. v It will also be noted that the predetermining number wheelis located intermediate, and completely occupies the space between, thecounting number wheel and the locking disc of its unit and has a drivingconnection with said locking disc while being adjustable relativethereto. It will also be noted that the numbers on the predeterminingnumber wheels progress in the opposite direction from the direction ofthose on the counting number wheels, lthus enabling adjustment of thepredetermining number wheels to set up thereon, with one integer in eachnumber on separate units A, B, C and D, in such manner as to provide adirect reading number equal to the count desired, while a like butreversed arrangement is produced on the counting number wheels followingeach count. Further, with the counting number wheels reset to zerosprior to a counting operation, and with a direct reading numberrepresenting the predetermined count set up on the predeterminng wheels,it will be evident that upon completion of the count, the zeros on theseveral counting wheels will appearon the predeermining wheels,l and thedirect reading number of the count will appear on the counting wheels`These and other advantages of my improved construction will, however, beclearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

. In the use of my improved mechanism, it will be evident that variousother standard forms of drive for the first dial unit A may besubstituted for that shown without in any way affecting the operation ofthe mechanism. Further, it will be evident that the mechanism may beused with control shafts 5 of either the spring or weight operated type,and also that the movement of this control shaft may be utilized in anywell known manner to operate a signal or shut down the machine as may bedesired. In practice, it

' will also be understood that the two sets of number wheels 26 and 33may be, and preferably are, made of contrasting materials in order tominimize confusion, the wheels 26, for example, in a preferredconstruction being provided with ename'ed faces, while the wheels 33 areof polished metal, although obviously various other contrastingarrangements may be used. Also it will be understood. that in certainforms the numbers may be left oi one or both of the wheels 28 andLetters Patent is:-

1. In a counting device having a plurality of counting mechanisms andcarrying mechanism therebetween, predetermining mechanism cooperatingwith said counting mechanisms having on each of the latter a pluralityof counting members one included in said counting mechanism and theother comprising a predetermining member and each adjustable relative toa part of said carrying mechanism on said counting mechanism while saidcarrying mechanism is in mesh.

2. In a counting device having a plurality o counting mechanisms andcarrying mechanism therebetween, predetermining mechanism operativeafter a predetermined count having on each counting mechanism a membercomprising a counting member included in said counting mechanism andadjustable relative to a part of the carrying mechanism on said countingmechanism and a co-operating predetermining4 member adjustable relativeto said first mentioned member.

3. In a counting device having a plurality of resettable countingmechanisms each having carrying members on opposite ends thereof, andtransfer pinions connected to adjacent members on adjacent mechanisms,predetermining mechanism operative after a predetermined count having oneach counting mechanism an adjustable predetermining member adjustablerelative to both of the carrying members on said counting mechanism, anda. co-operating counting member included in said counting mechanism andadjustable with said predetermining member relative to one of saidcarrying members on said counting mechanism during resetting.

4. In a counting device having a plurality of counting mechanisms andcarrying mechanism therebetween, .predetermining mechanism cooperatingwith said counting mechanisms havinr on each of the latter a pluralityof dial membe' one included in said counting mechanism and t' othercomprising a predetermining member r adjustable jointly relative to saidcarrying mf anism while the latter is in mesh and one ad.; able relativeto the other.

5. In a counting device having a plurality of counting mechanisms andcarrying mechanism therebetween, predetermining mechanism cooperatingwith said counting mechanisms having on each of the latter a pluralityof counting members one included in said counting mechanism and eachadjustable relative to'a part of said carrying mechanism on saidcounting mechanism while said carrying mechanism is in mesh, and

mechanism for resetting said members while said carrying mechanism is inmesh and adjusting both members together relative to said part.

6. In a counting device having a plurality of operatively connectedcounting mechanisms each having resetting mechanism and a rotatabledriving gear and a transfer pinion meshing therewith, predeterminingmechanism co-operating with -said counting mechanisms having on each ofthe latter a rotatable wheel included in said counting mechanism and adial member comprising a predetermining member and one adjustablerelative to the other and both adjustable relative to the rotatable gearof that counting mechanism during operation of said resetting mechanismand while said gear is in mesh with its transfer pinion.

'1. In a counting device having a plurality of operatively connectedcounting mechanisms each having a rotatable gear and a transfer pinion`meshing therewith, predetermining mechanism col-operating with saidcounting mechanisms having on each of the latter a plurality of dialmembers one included in said counting mechanism and one constituting a'predetermining member and one adjustable relative to another and bothadjustable relative to the rotatable gear of that counting mechanismwhile said gear is in mesh with its transfer pinion, and mechanism forresetting said dial members while said gears and pinions are in mesh.

8. In a counter, a shaft, a plurality of counting mechanisms thereoneach rotatable relative to said shaft and having a number wheel, meansfor rotating one of said counting mechanisms relative to said shaft,carrying mechanism between the several counting mechanisms, andpredetermining mechanism including an adjustable predetermining Wheel ineach counting mechanism between the number wheel thereof and the numberwheel of the counting mechanism of next higher order.

9. In a counter, a reset shaft, a plurality of counting mechanismsthereon each rotatable relative to said shaft and having .cooperatingresetting mechanism, a counting Wheel, and driving and driven carryinggears, transfer pinions connecting adjacent carrying gears of adjacentcounting mechanisms, each of said counting mechanisms also havinganadjustable driving connection between its counting Wheel and itsdriving gear permitting adjustment of said counting wheel duringresetting while said transfer pinions remain in mesh with said carryinggears, and a predetermining number wheel on each counting mechanismcoaxial with the counting wheel thereof and having means operative bygripping the periphery of said predetermining wheel for adjusting saidpredetermining wheel into a plurality of angular operative positionsrelative to said counting Wheel.

l0. In a counter, a shaft, a plurality of counting mechanisms eachrotatable bodily relative to the shaft and each comprising a gear at oneend of the counting mechanism rotatable relative to the latter and toboth a locking disc and 'a cooperating carrying gear ilxed to theopposite end ofsaid mechanism, a number wheel flxed to said mechanismhaving a driving connection with said first mentioned gear, and anadjustable predetermining wheel having an adjustable connection to saidlocking disc, means for rotating one ofv 'of said elements and saidcounting wheel, co-operating transfer mechanism meshing with saidpredetermining number wheel having adjustable.

operative connections and adjustable relative to all of said elementsand said counting number wheel, cio-operating transfer mechanism meshingwith said transfer elements `on said counting mechanisms duringadjustment of both of said wheels, co-operating predetermining mechanismcontrolled by said predetermining number wheels, and means for resettingboth sets of number wheels in one operation while adjusting the sametogether relative to certain of said transfer elements.

13. A counter having a plurality of counting mechanisms each includingtransfer elements thereon, a counting number wheel, and a predeterminingnumber wheel, the predetermining number wheels of the several mechanismsbeing numbered and adjustable to set up thereon a direct reading numberequal to the count desired, resetting mechanism operative to reset saidcounting number wheels to zero prior to a counting operation,cooperating transfer mechanism meshing with said transfer elements onsaid counting mechanisms during resetting oi' both of said sets ofnumber Wheels, and cooperating predetermining mechanism cooperating withsaid predetermining number wheels, the direct reading number set up onsaid predetermining number Wheels representing the desired count and thezeros indicated on said counting number Wheels at the beginning of thecount being reversed upon cornpleton of the predetermined count.

14. A counter having a plurality of counting mechanisms, transfermechanism therebetween,

predetermining number wheels adjustable on said counting mechanismsWhile said transfer mechanism is in mesh to set up thereon a directreading number equal to the desired count, xo-operating predeterminingmechanism co-operating with said predetermining number wheels after apredetermined count, and means for resetting said counting mechanismsafter said count operative while said transfer mechanism is in mesh andresetting said predetermining wheels in the positions of adjustmentoccupied thereby prior to the beginning of the count.

15. A counter having a plurality of counting mechanisms. each having acounting number wheel, transfer mechanism therebetween includingtransfer elements on said counting mechanisms, predetermining numberwheels adjustable on said counting mechanisms while said transfermechanism is in mesh, co-operating predetermining mechanism co-operatingwith said predetermining number wheels after a predetermined count, andmeans for resetting said counting mechanisms after said count operativewhile said transfer mechanism is inmesh and resetting saidpredetermining wheels in the positions of adjustment occupied therebyprior to the beginning of the count, both said counting number wheelsand said predetermining number wheels having adjustable operativeconnections and being adjustable together relative to transfer elementson said counting mechanisms during resetting.

16. In a. predetermined counter, mechanism 0perative after apredetermined count including a plurality of coaxially disposed countingmechanisms each having transfer elements thereon rotatable togetherduring counting and relatively rotatable during resetting, a countingwheel, and a predetermining wheel co-operating with said mechanism, eachpredetermining wheel being rotatable relative to both transfer elementsduring setting and both counting and predetermining wheels on eachcounting mechanism being rotatable relative to one transfer elementthereon during resetting, co-operating transfer mechanism, and rotatableresetting means for resetting both sets of wheels and having aresettingmember extending through said wheels.

1'7. In a counting mechanism, a gear on one end thereof, a co-operatingcarrying gear and locking disc at the opposite end thereof, a countingwheel between said gears having adjustable operative connections to saidfirst mentioned gear including a ratchet mechanism and rotatable withsaid ilrstmentioned gear during counting and independently adjustablerelative thereto, and a predetermining member between said ratchetmechanism and said cooperating gear rotatable during counting with saidgears and counting wheel and having an adjustable operative connectionoperative from the periphery of said predetermining member for enablingadjustment of the latter relative to said counting wheel.

18. In a counting mechanism, a gear on one end thereof, a co-operatingcarrying gear and locking disc at the opposite end thereof, a numberwheel between said gears rotatable with said first mentioned gear duringcounting andindependently adjustable relative thereo, and apredetermining member between said number wheel and said co-operatinggear rotatable during counting with said gears and number wheel andadjustable with said number wheel relative to said first mentioned gearand also independently adjustable relative to said number wheel and bothof said gears.

19. In a counting mechanism, a bushing, a gear rotatable on one endthereof, a carrying gear fixed on the other end thereof, aco-operatinglocking disc adjacent said carrying gear and likewise xed tosaid bushing, and a plurality of coaxial num# ber wheels, one locatedadjacent and having a driving connection with and adjustable relative tosaid disc and the other fixed to said bushing and driven by said firstmentioned gear and adjustable relative thereto.

2,0. In a counting mechanism, a bushing, a gear rotatable on one endthereof, a carrying gear fixed on the other end thereof, a co-operatinglocking disc adjacent said carrying gear and likewise fixed to saidbushing, a plurality of coaxial number wheels between said firstmentioned gear and disc both normally rotatable with the latter,releasable driving connections between one of said Wheels land said discfor connecting said wheel `to the latter in a plurality of angularpositions,

and driving pawl connections between the other wheel and said firstmentioned gear normally driving said other Wheel with said firstmentioned gear While permitting adjustment into a plurality of angularpositions.

2 1. In a counting device having a plurality of counting mechanisms andtransfer mechanism therebetween operatively connecting adjacent countingmechanisms, a predetermining member for each counting mechanism providedwith a notch therein and adjustable relative to each` counting mechanismwhile the latter is locked against rotation by said transfer mechanism.a controlling member, and means disposable in the several notches uponalignment thereof and thereupon actuating said controlling member andadapted to remain in said notches after operation of said controllingmember, a casing enclosing said last mentioned means and said countingmechanisms and having closed sides and an open top, and means disposedwithin said casing and having an actuating portion in and accessiblethrough said open top and operative while said counting mechanismsremain connected by said transfer mechanismfor releasing said ilrstmentioned means at will when the same remain 1n said notches asaforesaid to free said predetermining members for adjustment to vary thepredetermined count.

- HARVEY L. SPAUNBURG.

